As this scheme is homeowner-led we rely on you to keep in contact with your settlement specialist about key information, such as project timeframes, so that we can continue to support and progress your repair payments.

If circumstances change regarding your repair or rebuild, please update your settlement specialist as soon as possible.

If you feel unable to manage the repair process yourself or would like professional advice, we recommend you talk to your settlement specialist about your circumstances and options.

Starting your repairs

When you receive your local council consent (if applicable), send this to your settlement specialist as soon as it is available.

Once you have a signed build contract with your builder, please provide the intended start date of your project.

This date will need to be re-confirmed with your settlement specialist once your project has started. It should be within 12 months of the date of your Settlement Deed.

We recommend you receive a repair schedule from your builder outlining the repair schedule and timeframe of each phase of work. Your builder is responsible for completing repairs within the agreed timeframe, and you are responsible for keeping your chosen builder accountable to that timeframe.

Receiving your payment

Payments are made in instalments from your overall On-sold settlement. They’re made at your request once the conditions of each payment have been met. These conditions are outlined in your Settlement Deed.

Any payment you receive should be used for repairing or replacing damaged property. Any future insurance claims or cover may be affected if the payment is not used for this purpose.  

Variations to your agreed works

All agreed works must be completed as outlined in your signed Settlement Deed. This is the scope of works.

A change to the scope of works is called a variation. You need to ask for a variation in writing.

This must be approved before the work takes place. When we review variation requests we consider several factors including:

• if the work is related to earthquake damage
• whether the work should have been considered in the scoping and quoting stage
• whether the costs are fair and reasonable.

We want people to live in safe, healthy homes

We want people to live in safe, healthy homes, which is why all building work must meet certain standards laid out under the EQC Act.

In line with the EQC Act, repairs need to replace or reinstate the building to a condition substantially the same as, but not better or more extensive than its condition when it was new. Repairs must also comply with any applicable laws.

All repairs need to be completed to the standard agreed in the scope of work. They should also be completed as soon as reasonably possible following signing of the Settlement Deed and Statutory Declaration.

We recommend reviewing your build contract and discussing key milestones, such as progress payments and handover dates with your builder before the work starts. This will make sure you are both understand what is expected.

You’re responsible for working with your builder to make sure repairs are completed to this standard required under the EQC Act. You will need to ensure you are satisfied with the quality of their work and that the repairs comply with council regulations and other laws.